In more recent times he is now more well known for his off road business www.ballards.cc where he continued to support cross country and enduro racing in his native Australia.

Now semi retirement has meant an eye towards some vintage racing and Geoff has recently contacted me looking for a 1984 ASE 250, as per the bike he won the championship on. Anyone have one, or know where one is? Fancy helping an ex-Can-Am factory rider regain a bit of the glory? If so please contact me direct canamchris@gmail.com

Geoff notes the following about some of the pictures “The ISDE shot is in Wales in 83 and I went over to Armstrong and built the bike. I had to fight like hell to get the KX500 front disc put on it. I had a shocking event at that ISDE, but beat the Americans in most of the special tests, so that’s what got me the ride in the States for the following years and it eventually allowed me to stay there another 2 years. Then unfortunately it all ended for myself and Can Am.”

See you at Domen Hill, the next event 22nd April!

Although Rod made his name in racing and restoring the big 4 strokes, he loved the look of my original MX-3. It is currently in its original state and carries the patina of 0ver 30 years of racing. So for the 2012 season the bike will remain with Rod for some racing in the North West of England, hopefully taking on the Little Silver, Exeter event in August.

Check Rod’s work at www.rodspry.co.uk

Unfortunately this year the weather didn’t co-operate dumping snow over most of the UK, cutting the numbers down and closing the show early on Sunday. But I did get my Qualifier done for the show, so one more restoration done, but many more to go!

You can get one for free by simply donating a minimum of £18 / $25 / € 22 (plus some postage) to help with the costs of keeping Canned-Ham going.

So what do you do when your prep’d race bike suddenly gives up? Grap your show bike, kick it into life and go racing!

Mike Cove originally took his 82 bike to compete, and his recently acquired 77 Qualifier to show. When the race bike developed electrical problems, he pulled the 77 from the show, put an X on it, and entered. The 77 Qualifier 175, is original and unrestored. Still has the lever covers, tool bag with tools, and the lights, speedo, and oil injection are still working, and intact. It has a street legal registration, and will be plated, and street ridden this summer. I can’t imagine there was many racers there with street legal bikes with tool bags!

With a finished of 7th overall, it certainly worked. Mike hopes to acquire a ’75 TnT soon and to compete in the entire schedule with them next season.

For more Vintage racing action in Ontario check out www.sasquatchcycle.ca

If you ever doubt the performance available from a little Can-Am, then check out this fantastic shot of Dan Price and his 175 TnT. The shot is of Dan at the recent Gopher Dunes Sandstorm VMX (near Tillsonburg Ontario) race, riding his Dad’s 1975 Can-Am T’NT 175. Photo credit goes to Alexandra Franklin. Alex is a great photographer that contributes to offroadmotorcycles.ca . You can find more of her vintage race photos by visiting http://alexandrafranklin.smugmug.com/Moto

The Can-Am was raced by Dan’s Dad in Canadian Enduros when he bought it new in 1975 and was still a Jr rider and Dan was five. After a season or two he switched to a newer Can-Am and his TnT was unceremoniously leaned against the garage wall and forgotten about under a rapidly growing pile of garage junk. An endless stream of nagging by Dan and a full rebuild by Vintage Parts 4 U, plus a host of other Ontario based tuners, saw this little competitive weapon built.

Dan is a well known Canadian off-road journalist and you can read about the Can-Am rebuilds on www.offroadmotorcycles.ca and on www.offroad.com.

Dan aged 5,  with his eye on Dad’s TnT and thinking of future racing success

I have a set of the original Can-Am factory manuals, parts books, service bulletins and various factory documents for most models. I also have most of the magazine articles from Cycle, Cycle Guide, Motocross Action and Dirt Bike that give the original Can-Am tests.

Manuals can be supplied in hard copy or as pdf files. Contact me for a full list of manuals

• 1975 Can-Am Tnt 175. A very complete bike with D type exhaust system. The bike is complete and very original. It can be rebuilt to any extent by agreement. Please contact me for details.
• 1974 Can-Am TnT125. A big project this one. The bike needs a full rebuild, but does have the correct and matching  engine and frame. Rebuilt to order.
• Can-Am Military bikes: I have a number of complete bikes needing restoration. They would make excellent trail or enduro bikes, as Project Can-Am. In addition to the bikes, I also have a number of spares, including complete long stroke motors, frames, wheels, forks, air boxes, speedo/tacho clusters, seats, tanks, handlebars, lights, swing arms and more.

If you have any spares, parts or complete bikes, including anything Can-Am related like literature, manuals or photo’s please contact me. I’m always willing to assist in you in either selling or purchase to help my own restorations.